Colombia - Security Council, 10238th meeting

Where's the gavel? Where's the The 10,238th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: Identical letters dated 19 January 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, S/2016/53. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Miroslav Jenca, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/759, the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. I now give the floor to Mr. Miroslav Jenca.

Madam President, it is my pleasure to brief the Security Council once again on Colombia. The Council's role has been critical in supporting Colombia's path to peace, and I deeply appreciate its constant support for the verification mission.

Madam President, members of the Council, I am particularly pleased to see the participation of the Foreign Minister, His Excellency Omar Bula, for the first time at this quarterly meeting of the Council on Colombia. I am enormously thankful for the constructive dialogue that we have had with the Foreign Minister and with other government representatives over these first two months of their government. I reiterate the commitment of the United Nations Verification Mission to continue working closely with the Government and with Colombian State authorities, the High Contracting Party to the Agreement, communities, including women leaders, and all of those committed to building a peaceful, safe and prosperous future.

Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, As this Council is aware, the new Government of President Abelardo de la Espriella began its term in particularly difficult circumstances, challenged to respond on its third day in office to a devastating earthquake. The UN Country Team supported the national humanitarian response with backing from the verification mission. I reiterate my condolences for the loss of life, injuries and damage incurred. I commend the Colombian people for their resilience in the face of adversity. The new administration also took office facing serious challenges that Secretary General described in his latest report. Mounting insecurity due to the expansion of armed groups and illegal economies in areas still affected by conflict and the deficits in development and state presence in those very same regions. These are key factors that have fueled violence for decades in Colombia. The Government has identified security, the reduction of violence and the development of the territories as key objectives in this context. In our engagement with the Government, we have discussed how the Verification Mission Working within its mandate, fostering the continued implementation of the peace agreement can contribute to the realization of these objectives, especially the protection of communities and increased state presence throughout the country. At nearly 10 years since its signing, the agreement has made undeniable contributions to advancing peace in the country. ending the longest standing insurgency of the conflict, establishing policies and programs to advance development and state presence in rural areas, and the building of creative pathways that deserve our continued strong support to ensuring transitional justice and reparations to victims. Implementation over the years has also had many shortcomings, and much remains to be done to advance the agreement in parallel with security policies that can be mutually reinforcing. The agreement should be implemented comprehensively. And as the Secretary-General states in his report, the years ahead will be pivotal to consolidate progress achieved to date and leverage the opportunities afforded. The government has stated its intention to comply with the constitutional and legal obligations arising from the agreement. However, as the Secretary-General has also noted in his report, it has yet to fully outline its approach to implementation. We look forward to the further definition of its policies and we stand ready to support the government in this regard, making available the mission's experience accumulated over almost a decade in accompanying implementation. Specific plans ensuring adequate financing of critical programs and peace institutions The assignment of leadership and coordination responsibilities within the government and the activation of established commissions that are part of the architecture of the agreement would provide important assurances and address the concerns raised by various stakeholders of the agreement about the continuity of implementation. The United Nations Verification Mission has accompanied Colombia in its efforts to advance peace and security across successive administrations and stages of the peace process, always working with full respect for Colombia's sovereignty and the principle of national ownership. Through the mission's regional, subregional, and local offices, It has developed relationships of trust with local authorities, communities, former combatants, and civil society organizations, while accumulating valuable insight into some of Colombia's most remote and conflict-affected territories. We carry out verification with a proactive spirit of assisting the parties to overcome bottlenecks, to moving forward in implementation. The Mission is also investing in digital innovation aimed at optimizing its analysis and verification in the field. Since my arrival to Colombia a year ago, I have visited almost all of the Mission's 29 territorial offices. witnessing firsthand the value of this presence on the ground. It undoubtedly constitutes one of the mission's key added values at this moment in time, positioning it, among others, to accompany efforts to extend the reach of state institutions, bringing benefits to the population. We have observed how rapidly local dynamics can shift and how security, governance, economic opportunities, and social cohesion remain deeply interconnected. One lesson has remained constant throughout this time. Sustainable peace requires security, and security requires an effective and lasting presence of state institutions. Madam President, the situation in conflict-affected regions is complex. Communities continue to suffer the impact of the presence of multiple armed actors, illegal economies, geographic isolation, weak infrastructure, and limited access to public services. The increase in child recruitment, especially high among ethnic communities, also remains of utmost concern, as are the continued threats and violence facing women. In recent testimony to Congress, the new administration estimated that the ranks of the illegal armed groups expanded from roughly 15,000 to 28,000 members since 2022, with the largest of them being the Gulf Clan, growing from about 4,000 to more than 10,000. Recent tragic events demonstrate the gravity of the situation. I deplore the killings on 1st September of social leaders Maria Ovidia Palenchor and James Flor in Cauca. Their deaths are a sobering reminder of the continued risks faced by those who dedicate themselves to serving their communities, defending the rights of victims, and promoting peaceful coexistence. In my conversations with community representatives and local officials, they consistently emphasize the importance of sustained efforts to improve living conditions expand sustainable economic opportunities, strengthen public services, and enhance presence of and confidence in local institutions. These are the main objectives of the rural reform provisions of the peace agreement. For example, the development program with territorial focus, PEDET, which are monitored by the verification mission, foster the transformation of regions and expansion of state presence. Instruments such as the agrarian jurisdiction and the multipurpose cadaster contribute to achieving the legal certainty over property that is critical for development and private-led investment. Greater security and prosperity in these regions benefit not only local communities, but the country as a whole. Madam President, distinguished members of the Council, the reintegration process remains one of the most significant achievements of the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. More than 11,000 former combatants continue to pursue their transition to civilian life. Their sustained commitment over nearly a decade reflects a steadfast determination to build peaceful and productive futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. With government and international support through every administration since 2016, the reintegration process has also spurred individual entrepreneurship and attracted investments from the private sector. To date, approximately 6,000 productive projects and 300 cooperatives have been established by former combatants. They are involved in initiatives ranging from small community-based enterprises to projects operating across 16 departments. They encompass a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, fish farming, retail trade, textiles, and tourism. For example, some 400 former combatants and victims, members of different associations or cooperatives, joined forces this year to launch a tourism initiative spanning six departments aimed at stimulating economic activity in areas previously affected by conflict through a focus on nature, historical memory and reconciliation. Another example involves the production of coffee, where a commercial initiative established in 2018 with private sector support, brings together some 1,300 former combatants across nine departments. These experiences demonstrate that when former combatants are connected to sustainable economic opportunities and markets, reintegration becomes a strategic investment in local development, social cohesion, and lasting peace. Unfortunately, sustainability and competitiveness remain major challenges for such initiatives of former combatants. And security concerns persist in the areas where former combatants live and work. I deplore the most recent killing of a former combatant in the department of Cesar, on 22 September, which brings to 501 the total number of killings since 2016. Strengthening both protection and opportunities for those who lay down their arms must be a priority. Avoiding any return to violence remains imperative, especially as former combatants face growing pressure and heightened risks of recruitment by armed groups. Madam President, Colombia has begun a new political chapter with wide-ranging challenges ahead and the need for sustained international engagement in order to overcome remaining obstacles deepen the gains achieved to date, and build a more peaceful and secure future for all Colombians. The opportunity is there to make use of the instruments of the agreement and the presence of the mission across Colombia's conflict-affected regions to contribute substantially towards these ends. With the support of the Council, and the necessary resources to ensure that the Mission stays fit for purpose, including its territorial presences, we stand ready to continue accompanying Colombia on that path. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank Mr. Yentzer for his briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Omar Boula, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

Thank you. Gracias, senora.

Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Special Representative of the Secretary General, Miroslav Ljecnja. Excellencies. And I'm very honored to be in this Council for the first time. Colombia appears before the Council today with respect, with gratitude, and with great candor. For almost one decade, the United Nations has supported our country in implementing the final agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, People's Army, FARC-EP. Thousands of officials, observers, development partners, representatives of friendly countries, communities and organizations have dedicated their time, resources and efforts to that. On behalf of the Government of Colombia, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for that invaluable contribution. All efforts aimed at providing reparations to victims and supporting communities that have endured decades of violence that they never chose deserve our gratitude. Nothing that is said here today is intended to overlook those efforts. In keeping with our republican and diplomatic tradition spanning more than two centuries, Colombia recognizes its multilateral commitments and respects international law decisively. However, acknowledging the progress achieved and respecting international law do not absolve us of the moral, constitutional, and historical responsibility that the Colombian state has assumed towards its people to assess the result of the peace agreement, to rigorously and objectively review its true impact, and to acknowledge without excuses the structural shortcomings and persistent challenges that have prevented the achievement of a genuine and lasting peace. The government of President Abelardo de la Espriella was elected with the highest number of votes in Colombia's history. against a backdrop of widespread and demonstrable dissatisfaction with a peace that, for honest, hard-working people, never materialised. The ideological and international promotion of the peace agreement as an exemplary event worthy of emulation is not borne out in the figures or in the reality that this Government inherited and is now confronting. Indeed, between the signing of the peace agreement and today, from July 2016 and August 2026, 132,930 people were murdered in Colombia. While nearly 100,000 cases of extortion and more than 2,750 kidnappings have been recorded throughout the country, for our peasant farmers, our workers, our children and our security forces, peace has simply not existed. Since the signing of the agreement in 2016, the number of members of illegal armed groups in Colombia has increased fivefold, from 6,000 to almost 30,000. Their armed structures have become fragmented and reconfigured themselves, occupying new territories and strengthening their links with transnational criminal economies, including drugs trafficking, illegal mining, extortion, kidnapping, trafficking in persons, and smuggling. Today, the Colombian state is not facing a single armed actor. It is simultaneously facing the ELN, the Clan del Golfo, dozens of dissident factions of the former FARC, as well as regional and transnational criminal networks capable of financing themselves, recruiting members, coercing communities, and contesting territorial control. The figures never lie. Drugs trafficking, one of the main drivers of this criminal activity, has reached unprecedented levels worldwide. In 2023, Colombia recorded approximately 253,000 hectares under coca cultivation and a potential cocaine production of 2,664 tons, representing an increase of 53% over the previous year alone. But the growth of these organizations is not reflected only in their membership figures. It is also evident in their increasing territorial control, through which they have expanded their conflicts and consolidated forms of criminal governance, subjugating communities and controlling strategic corridors through violence, extortion, and illicit economies. The consequences of this deterioration for the Colombian population have been particularly severe. Kidnappings have increased by more than 250% and in 2025 alone, 78 massacres and 256 victims of criminal attacks were recorded. But perhaps the most alarming figures, however, concern the recruitment of children and adolescents. The United Nations has verified that the recruitment and use of children by armed groups has increased by 300% over five years. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, that increase was 64%. In 2024, an average of one child was recruited or used every 20 hours, I repeat, every 20 hours, with more than 326 cases documented. The fact that, ten years after the signing of a peace agreement, armed organizations continue to recruit children, fight over territory, finance themselves through illicit economies, and subjugate entire communities demonstrates the magnitude of the challenges that Colombia must still overcome to achieve genuine peace. But Colombia has changed. It changed its course on 7 August, the Patria Milagro. the miracle nation has arrived. This change reflects a deeply held conviction of President Abelardo de la Espriella. Security is not incompatible with peace. It is an indispensable prerequisite for achieving it. Without security, there can be no peace. Peace will remain a central priority of this government. with the firm belief that it can be built only on solid foundations: security, respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the legitimate exercise of state authority. Ours as a government of laws, a government that remains willing to consider any initiative that effectively leads to the laying down of arms and reintegration into civilian life. However, as long as an organization continues to murder, kidnap, extort, recruit children, or seek to control territory through fear, the state has the responsibility to act, using the legitimate means afforded to it under the constitution and the law, to protect its citizens. From the very first day of his term, the President issued clear instructions to regain territorial control, restore state authority, protect the population, combat illicit economies, and to confront the organizations that resort to terrorism and violence to impose their power. Since then, and despite the serious emergency caused by the earthquake that the Government had to address during its first few days in office, operations against transnational organised crime have been stepped up. On the President's direct instructions, the Armed Forces, the National Police, the Office of the Attorney General and state intelligence agencies have stepped up their operations against the ELN, the Clan del Golfo, dissident and dissident factions of the former FARC, as well as the Conquistadores de la Sierra, self-defense groups and criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining, kidnapping, extortion and the smuggling of migrants. In just 60 days, the security forces reported 32,000 29 arrests, the seizure of more than 135 tons of narcotic drugs, and the removal of 3,414 firearms from circulation. In addition, the President of the Republic has signed 119 extradition orders as part of international cooperation efforts to dismantle drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in Colombia. Recent operations have affected ELN structures, the Clan del Golfo, and various dissident factions through the neutralization of their leaders, the rescue of kidnapping victims, and the destruction of laboratories, dredges, and other infrastructure used in illicit economic activities. The aim of these actions is to regain control over land, to weaken armed groups and their sources of financing, and to restore the presence and authority of the state in areas where criminal organizations have sought to substitute it. We don't put forward these results as a definitive victory, but but rather the underscoring the importance of restoring state control. That's not an easy task. We are well aware that 60 days cannot resolve decades of violence. But what these results do show is the initial impact of a policy that recognizes security, justice, and the effective presence of the state as necessary preconditions for building sustainable peace. The State has a constitutional responsibility to exercise its authority throughout the national territory in accordance with respect for the law and full respect for the fundamental rights of its citizens. There can be no peace where a family has to live in fear, where a peasant farmer cannot work freely, where a child cannot go to school for fear of being recruited, or where a community is subjected to the will of an armed group. Without security, there can be no peace. Protecting the lives, freedom and well-being of Colombians is a constitutional mandate and a fundamental priority of this government. Security is the very condition that enables justice to function, the economy to work, to grow, children to go to school, and communities to build their futures freely and in true peace. Madam President, Excellencies, let me be clear. With regard to what brings us here today, the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, our commitment remains intact. The implementation of the final agreement is a commitment undertaken by the Colombian State and will continue within the framework of the constitution, the law, and existing legal obligations. That said, Fulfilling those obligations also requires periodic reviews of the institutional instruments and mechanisms through which they are put into practice in order to ensure their effectiveness and to ensure that they adapt to the country's changing circumstances. Accordingly, it is for each government, as it carries out its constitutional and democratic powers, to assess those instruments and propose whatever adjustments it deems necessary to establish more effective, sustainable arrangements that are better suited to the country's territorial, fiscal and security realities. On the basis of all of these considerations, Colombia proposes a more focused mandate for the verification mission, grounded on the same reality, that is, without security there can be no peace. This proposal, among other considerations, reflects the specific and distinctive added value of international verification and the distinct nature of the responsibilities associated with each of these components. Reintegration and security guarantees are directly linked to the transition of former FARC EP members into civilian life. which justifies the continuation of international verification. Comprehensive rural reform, on the other hand, is of a different nature. Included in the mission's mandate in 2023, it represents a structural, multisectoral and long-term public policy, the implementation of which must be properly integrated into the permanent institutional framework of the Colombian State. Access to land, formalizing land ownership, rural productivity, infrastructure, and ensuring economic opportunities for our peasant farmers are fundamental responsibilities of the Colombian state. Meeting those responsibilities calls for sustained long-term institutional action, which by its very nature goes beyond the scope and duration of a special verification mission. This proposal has been developed in close coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which has expressly stated that Colombia possesses the necessary legal and institutional instruments to ensure the continuity of policies relating to land access, formalizing land ownership, and productive development, irrespective of the international verification mechanism. Likewise, international cooperation can continue and will continue to support rural development projects and initiatives, including those backed by our international partners and donors. What we are proposing isn't to change the substantive obligation of the state, nor the support provided by our partners, but rather the exceptional verification mechanism. I also wish to stress that Colombia fully recognizes the authority of this Council, and we have no intention whatsoever of unilaterally modifying any of its resolutions. We understand that the formal decision relating to the mandate rests with the Security Council, to which we respectfully submit our proposal for its consideration. We are convinced that this approach makes it possible to reconcile the fulfilment of our commitments with institutional strengthening and the pursuit of a more effective and sustainable implementation. Madam President, Excellencies, I wish to conclude by reiterating a deeply held conviction: Colombia will continue to honor its commitments and fully discharge its responsibility to protect its citizens and uphold the legitimate authority of its institutions. Because, in the end, peace cannot be measured solely by the agreements signed, the commitments announced, or mechanisms established. Peace must be translated into tangible improvements in the lives of all Colombians. There is peace when a peasant farmer can work his land without having to seek permission from armed men, when a shopkeeper is no longer forced to finance those who extort him. There is peace when no illegal organization can usurp the authority of the Republic, and there is peace when a population can live without fear. That is the peace that Colombia seeks, and that is the peace that this government, with the determination of its institutions and the invaluable support of the international community, is resolved to build. Thank you very much.

I thank His Excellency Mr. Bulja for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Special Representative Jentsch, for your briefing, and welcome to Foreign Minister Bula. As this is the first meeting since 10 August, I extend our condolences to the people of Colombia for the losses suffered in the earthquake of that day. Making peace is not easy, as every country on this Council knows. Significant challenges remain and new challenges arise throughout the duration of any and every peace agreement. In Colombia, new and emerging armed groups continue to threaten communities, former combatants, and human rights defenders. 13 peace signatories have been killed so far in 2026. The proliferation of armed groups both hinders implementation of Colombia's peace agreement and reflects the need for its full and rapid implementation, including through restoring effective state presence, as the Minister said, across territories formerly under the influence of the FARC. At the same time, Colombia's peace agreement has successfully secured the demobilization of one of the largest and most active guerrilla groups. More than 11,000 former combatants remain demobilized, enrolled in reintegration programs, and committed to the peace agreement. So as we approach the agreement's 10th anniversary, the United Kingdom remains committed to its full implementation. We welcome the government of Colombia's decision to uphold the constitutional and legal obligations arising from Colombia's peace agreement. We note the government's ongoing review and hope that it will strengthen the institutional architecture and funding for the peace agreement and ensure that the agreement and its implementation architecture serves the needs of the communities most affected by the conflict. The next five years, the final five years, will be critical. We encourage the government to use Colombia's peace agreement and its provisions as part of an overall security framework to tackle the drivers of conflict, build effective state presence at the same time as taking security and anti-narcotics measures. We look to those measures to prioritise protection of vulnerable communities, including Afro-Colombian, indigenous peoples and children. The United Kingdom will continue to champion peacebuilding on the ground at local levels, because we see that sustainable peace and security can be achieved only by involving civilians and survivors most affected by conflict. that working with civil society and listening to the voices of communities is important, and that women and girls face risks that need effective and sustained protection measures. The United Kingdom sees the UN Verification Mission as continuing to be an essential tool for sustaining peace in Colombia. We look forward to presenting a draft resolution for consideration to this Council, which would renew the mandate of the mission and look forward to discussing it with the Government of Colombia. As we look ahead to the final five years, our shared commitment to peace in Colombia should remain unwavering, bringing together all to support the full implementation of Colombia's peace agreement and to secure lasting peace for all Colombians.

Thank you. I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Thank you, Madam President. I thank SRS Chief Miroslav Jenca for his comprehensive briefing. And let me warmly welcome His Excellency Omar Bola, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and thank him for honouring us with his presence today. Let me also take this opportunity to convey our solidarity with the Colombian people following the devastating earthquake in August. causing loss of life and unspeakable suffering. Madam President, this year marks 10 years since the signing of Colombia's final peace agreement, a milestone of historic importance not only for Colombia but for the international community and for the multilateral system as a whole that supported its implementation. To this day, Colombia's final peace agreement is one of the best examples of success on how the United Nations can help translate a negotiated settlement into a lasting framework for peace. Ten years later, a central lesson is clear: protecting the gains of the agreement while addressing today's security challenges are not competing objectives, as we heard from you, Minister. These are mutually reinforcing ones, and it is essential not only for Colombia's future, but also for the stability and peace throughout the region. The final peace agreement remains a living framework for addressing many of the structural conditions that contributed to decades of conflict and still are persistent as a major challenge today. Rural inequality, weak state presence, illicit economies, organized crime, and insecurity in conflict-affected territories. Therefore, we welcome the commitment of the new Colombian government to ensure continuity and uphold the constitutional and legal obligations arising from the peace agreement, as well as the decision to place security, restoration of state authority, and the rule of law at the center of this government's agenda. Madam President, security can and should be reinforced through the implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia. A sustainable security will require more than the legitimate use of force. It will require functioning institutions, economic opportunities, justice, and state presence that reaches communities where it has historically been absent. And we encourage reflection on the fulfillment of the agreement's objectives and security in the context of regional development. Rural reform, land formalization, reincorporation, and transformation of conflict-affected territories are essential components of a comprehensive security policy, and the peace agreement framework serves as a valuable tool and guidance for the effective implementation of these objectives. Madam President, as we are preparing the mandate renewal of the UN verification mission in Colombia at the end of this month, We recall the indispensable role that the verification mission has played in the implementation of the peace agreement. Its wide presence on the ground has built confidence and provided an impartial bridge among Colombian institutions, communities, and international partners. We continue to be concerned about the severe intimidation, harassment, and reprisals against women, including activists, leaders, and former combatants in conflict-affected regions. We commend the recent adoption of the comprehensive program of safeguards for women leaders and human rights defenders as public policy. The ongoing sexual and gender-based violence, threats, restriction of movement, and limited access to protection and services for women are issues to be addressed with urgency. And we reemphasize that the role of women in the peace-building process in Colombia is crucial to the success of reconciliation efforts within the Colombian society. Therefore, we invite to provide all necessary protection for women and girls in the conflict-affected regions. But we will also continue advocating for the WPS agenda as a core cross-cutting priority within the UN verification missions mandate. Finally, the peace agreement has left an enduring constitutional and institutional legacy. Colombia's constitutional court continues to engage with this architecture, demonstrating that peace has become part of the country's institutional evolution. While the agreement itself is not a constitutional norm, its implementation has been incorporated through constitutional reforms, legislation, and institutions, creating a framework that successive governments have inherited and should carry forward. We reiterate its steadfast support and readiness to accompany Colombia on this path to genuine peace. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Madam President, it is an honour for me to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3: Liberia, Somalia, and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We'd like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Miroslav Ljecnja, for his briefing. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Mr. Omar Bola, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia. We've taken note of the Secretary-General's latest report on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. The A/3 reiterates its steadfast support for Colombia's peace process. its democratic institutions, as well as its sovereign efforts to undertake the security and development challenges facing the Colombian people. We also wish to reaffirm our appreciation for the Verification Mission's ongoing assistance and the vital work carried out through its field presence. We welcome the peaceful democratic transition which took place on the 7th of August, as well as the resilience of Colombia's institutions and society as it tackled the devastating earthquake of 10th August. The prompt national response underscored the robustness of Colombian institutions and the capacity of the Colombian people to mobilize in times of adversity. We commend the support provided by the United for national humanitarian efforts. We encourage further international assistance for recovery, in particular in conflict-affected communities that face compounded vulnerabilities. We take note of the Government's stated priorities, in particular that of strengthening security, combating drug trafficking and armed groups, extending the State's presence, and advancing development in the regions. These objectives are in alignment with the broader goals of the 2016 final peace agreement, an agreement which stands as a commitment of the Colombian state. As the Secretary General's report highlights, the implementation of the agreement directly contributes to reducing violence, to extending the state's institutional presence, and tackling the structural factors that sustain illicit economies. We welcome the constructive engagement between the Government and the United Nations, as well as the Government's recognition of the constitutional and legal obligations arising from the agreement, as the Government refines its implementation approach. Madam President, the A3 fully recognizes Colombia's sovereign responsibility as well as its determination to ensure the security of its people and to address the presence of armed and criminal groups in Colombia. While acknowledging the authority's efforts aimed at protecting its people, we will be following particularly closely the security challenges in conflict-affected regions, where illicit economies, as well as the expansion of armed groups, continue to have an impact on communities. on social leaders and ex-combatants. We welcome the Government's efforts aimed at safeguarding children from recruitment as well as abuses committed by illegal armed groups. Colombia's security initiatives are more effective and lasting when they go hand in hand with complementary civilian measures. Access and dedicated protection instruments established under the agreement being implemented. The A3 welcomes the significant progress, the historic progress that's been made on reintegration. The fact that over 11,000 ex-FARC EP combatants are actively engaged in civilian life with exceptionally low recidivism rates is a remarkable national accomplishment. In order to lock in this success, we encourage adequate and predictable resources being allocated for the reintegration architecture, alongside continued delivery of housing, land reform, access to loans and viable livelihood opportunities within secure environments. Turning now to rural development, we take note of the significant progress made on the multipurpose cadaster, which now covers over 40% of Colombia's territory, as well as the broad-based inclusive participation of almost 19,000 community representatives and local authorities in updating the Development Programs with a Territorial Focus, the PDET. The A3 encourages the government to build on these achievements as it conducts its review of the land reform programs, ensuring that existing gains are locked in, that the agrarian jurisdiction is operationalized, and that development reaches conflict-affected areas in an equitable fashion, all the while guaranteeing the meaningful participation of women, indigenous peoples, as well as Afro-Colombian communities. Madam President, As the 10th anniversary of the final peace agreement approaches, the priority must be locking in what works, addressing unfinished commitments, and implementing the commitments in response to ever-evolving developments, and this within the framework of the 2016 peace accord. To this end, we encourage the new government to resolutely continue the implementation of the accord, placing particular emphasis on security guarantees, reintegration of ex-combatants, agrarian reform, rural development, and transitional justice mechanisms. We encourage an integrated approach being adopted, one that harmonizes security, development, and reintegration efforts, as well as that of the strengthening of the state's institutional presence, all the while fully upholding Colombia's national ownership and sovereignty. The A3 reaffirms its unswerving partnership with Colombia. We stand ready to work constructively with the Government of Colombia, the United Nations and all stakeholders so as to consolidate the gains of peace and to advance the enthronement of a secure, stable and prosperous future for the Colombian people. I thank you.

Representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the statement. And I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Gracias.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia, Mircea Yentche, for his briefing. His leadership and commitment to his mandate are particularly commendable. We also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Omar Bola Escobar. He honors us with his participation at this meeting. His very presence at this meeting reaffirms Colombia's continued commitment to security and peace. At the outset, we would like to begin our statement by expressing our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the more than 300 people who lost their lives in the kindred Republic of Colombia during the devastating earthquake on the 10th of August. Last Friday, our own country also experienced moments of great anguish in the light of a similar phenomenon. Although the consequences were largely confined to infrastructure, that experience brought us ever closer to the pain and uncertainty endured by so many Colombian families. To all of them, we extend our most sincere solidarity. As this is the last briefing on Colombia during our term on the Security Council, We wish to reiterate the importance of not losing sight of the human dimension of the conflict. In that regard, we express our solidarity with the thousands of people who, over the past two years, have been forced to flee their homes in the face of threats and in the midst of fear. We further recall those who during the various armed shutdowns imposed during this period, have been subject to confinement, deprived of their freedom of movement and forced to stay in their homes and communities that have, time and again, become places of captivity. Madam President, As we approach one decade since the signing of the peace agreement, this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect both on the progress made and on the challenges that remain in the implementation of this agreement. Among those challenges, the persistence of violence and its consequences for the safety and protection of civilians remain a source of concern. Regrettably, we continue to witness the killing of human rights defenders, as well as those who chose to lay down their arms and pursue the path of peace. In that context, we welcome the increased deployment of security forces across the country, which has always been essential to addressing the various forms of violence in Colombia. At the same time, As we have previously noted, we believe that the possibility of genuine dialogue must always remain on the table. Furthermore, although this no longer falls within the Mission's mandate, Panama welcomes the issuance, after a long wait, of the first special sanctions by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Transitional justice is thus entering a decisive phase in which those who caused unimaginable harm must now shoulder responsibility for their action and contribute to the extent possible to providing reparation to the victims. We hope that this process will continue to advance as swiftly as possible and that the necessary tools will be made available for its implementation. We also welcome the establishment of the international monitoring mechanism, now led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Organization of American States Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia. With regard to rural reform, Panama continues to deem this implementation essential, since it has provided a pragmatic and effective means of addressing illicit crops, a key dimension of the fight against transnational organized crime. Land, which has been at the heart of so much suffering for the Colombian people, can now, on a larger scale, become a source of hope, agricultural development and economic opportunities for communities. Madam President, Just as the peace agreement extends beyond its high signatory parties to reach communities throughout Colombia, the Verification Mission has demonstrated over these nearly ten years similarly broad scope and reach in its work. Its support for the implementation of the agreement, its ability to identify and raise the profile of both progress and challenges, and above all, its physical presence at the regional, sub-regional and local levels throughout the country, have played an irreplaceable role that must be continued. As we have previously stated, Colombia's peace and security are also the peace and security of Panama and of our entire region. The peace agreement made possible the laying down of arms by approximately 11,000 ex-combatants and opened a path towards peace that we must continue to build on. In that spirit, Panama reiterates its full readiness to continue working closely with Colombia as the host country of the verification mission and with the United Kingdom, in its capacity as penholder on this file, to contribute to strengthening the mission and ensure that it can continue to carry out its indispensable work. Thank you very much.

Thank you, representative of Panama, for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Madam President. I thank SRS G. Yentel for his comprehensive briefing. We support and value the verification mission's work in Colombia. I welcome Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar to this meeting and extend warm felicitations to Colombia's new government, led by President Abelardo de la Espria, and to you, Foreign Minister, for taking office. Please also accept our condolences for the losses suffered from the August earthquake. Madam President, I take this opportunity to first and foremost underscore my delegation's full support to Colombia and its people in their quest for sustainable peace. The 2016 peace agreement represents a decisive choice made by the Colombian people, a choice to eschew violence, pursue peace, and allow the Colombian people to live a life of dignity, free from the fear of violence that gripped the country for decades. We fully respect and support Colombia's sovereign decision to this end. Notwithstanding various challenges that continue to beset the implementation of the peace agreement, Colombia has achieved notable progress, particularly in the areas of rural reforms and reintegration of ex-combatants. Given the complexities and underlying causes of conflict, it would be important to preserve these achievements and further consolidate these gains to achieve lasting peace and prosperity for the Colombian people. We welcome the Colombian government's commitment to governing from and for the regions. Strengthening state presence in the regions would not only benefit the local population in terms of support and service delivery, but will also help ensure better security for all peoples. President, security concerns remain a challenge and threaten to upend the gains across various facets of this peace agreement. Targeting of Colombian security forces by armed gangs, ex-combatants, social leaders, and human rights defenders is reprehensible and condemnable. We support Colombian government's efforts to restore peace in the country. We urge all armed actors to renounce violence and fully respect Colombia's national laws. A sustained, balanced, and inclusive approach aligned with the interests, first and foremost, of the Colombian people remains the key to achieving lasting peace. To this end, my delegation would constructively engage, first and foremost, with the Colombian delegation and with all Council members for the upcoming mandate renewal of the verification mission. Our approach is guided by our principled position that mandates should be tailored to the realities and requirements on the ground, and that cost-cutting alone should not be the sole determining criterion. To conclude, Madam President, Pakistan remains committed to supporting Colombia and its people for the realization of this vision of peace. I thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of France.

Thank you, Madam President. And I'd like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. Miroslav Ljajca, for his briefing, which put the spotlight on what's been achieved and the challenges plaguing the peace agreement following 10 years following its signature. I welcome His Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Mr. Omar Bola Escobar, here with us today. A very warm welcome to you. You know the organization well, as you worked at the United Nations for a number of years. I wish to use this opportunity with the Minister in the room to reiterate our deep solidarity with the Colombian people following the violent earthquake which hit swathes of the country in August. Our solidarity is historically robust and culturally, politically and economically rich, a friendship we wish to perpetuate. Madam President, A new stage has opened up for Colombia as peaceful elections were held despite violence, whereby groups hostile to democracy tried to thwart the elections. However, the Colombian people expressed itself freely and chose its new leadership in a sovereign fashion. It's now time to overcome divisions to meet the various challenges as regards peacebuilding and security in Colombia. as recalled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Special Representative as well. Colombia is seeing a resurgence in armed group activity. They are benefiting from drugs trafficking and illegal gold washing. They continue to commit violence against civilian populations. The level of violence is rising. children, the recruitment of which by armed groups is ongoing and in fact intensifying, are the main victims. To address the situation, Colombia can count on the UN, with which it has had a decades-long history. We're very committed to this history and would like for it to continue. In 2016, Colombia put an end to decades of conflict through the bilateral peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC. This brave decision, a decision to undertake a demanding peace process, has received unstinting support from the Council, thus demonstrating that the settlement of disputes and peacebuilding are possible horizons when there is a common resolve on the part of both parties, as well as resolute support from the international community. The Colombian Government has upheld its constitutional commitments as regards the implementation of the peace agreement and is continuing is its cooperation with the UN, as highlighted by the Minister. This is something we should applaud. Given the degradation of the security situation in a number of regions in Colombia, the peace agreement remains a singular instrument that can help us to tackle structural factors at the root of violence and instability. For instance, the agreement calls for mechanisms for resolving conflicts related to property and land use with the implementation of an agrarian jurisdiction. Also, alternatives to illicit production so as to effectively and sustainably combat drug trafficking. Reintegration measures, providing 11,000 ex-combatants with future prospects without which they might be likely to take up arms again. Security guarantees to protect the most vulnerable groups and transitional justice architecture, one which promotes national reconciliation. Madam President, The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia is the expression of international support for the peace process. Thanks to its territorial network, this mission does decisive work with the Colombian people and supports the State as it extends its presence across the entirety of Colombia's territory. France will continue working hard to continue providing such support and to ensure that it is aligned with priorities set by Colombia. We owe it to all Colombians who aspire to peace and security. I thank you.

Thank you, representative of France, for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

Madame President, at the outset, Please allow me to welcome the participation of His Excellency Mr. Omar Bola, Foreign Minister of Colombia, at today's meeting. I extend my thanks to Mr. Yentche, SRSG and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, for his briefing. We welcome the peaceful political transition in Colombia. I congratulate His Excellency President de la Sirelia and the Government of Colombia on taking office, wishing them every success in steering the country towards further security, stability and development. We express our solidarity with the Government and people of Colombia after the devastating earthquake last August. We commend the UN's role in supporting humanitarian response and recovery, including in regions where the humanitarian situation is precarious. In light of the SG's report on the situation in Colombia, I would like to note the following. First, We underscore the importance of strengthening cooperation among all concerned parties to pursue the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and the mechanisms it has provided for. This will consolidate stability and avert the recurrence of conflict. Second, in light of security challenges, The protection of women and children must remain a key priority to advance peacebuilding and stabilization. Efforts must be stepped up to protect women and guarantee their sustained access to basic services. There must be further efforts to combat the recruitment and exploitation of children. Children must be also guaranteed access to education and basic services. Third, Colombia's progress in the reintegration of former combatants, rural reform, and development programs in conflict-affected areas is a positive step that must be built upon. In this context, continued investment in sustainable development, improved access to basic services and economic opportunities, enhanced support for productive projects and greater protection for local communities are key to promoting peace and averting another outbreak of conflict. In conclusion, Madam President, We reiterate our support for all efforts to achieve peace and stability in Colombia. We look forward to continued cooperation with the UN Verification Mission. This will consolidate peace and stability and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for the friendly Colombian people. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.

President, I thank SRS G. Ian Chair for his briefing, and I welcome Foreign Minister Omar Bola attending today's meeting. Ten years ago, the signing of the final peace agreement put an end to Colombia's half-century-long civil war, setting a model of resolving conflicts through dialogue. Thanks to the joint efforts of successive Colombian governments, all sectors of society and the international community, the implementation of the peace agreement has achieved positive progress. We hope to see the new Colombian government prioritize the long-term development of the country and the fundamental interests of its people, unite all parties and continues continue striving toward the goal of achieving comprehensive, lasting peace. Let me make four points. First, the peace agreement should be implemented in a comprehensive and steady manner. As the peace process continues to deepen and deliver tangible results, the acceptance of the peace process among all parties and their willingness to be part of it is steadily increasing. This has further consolidated consensus to sustain the peace process and raised expectations for future outcomes. Today, as the implementation of the peace agreement enters a critical phase, we hope that the Colombian government will build on current progress, draw on past experience and lessons learned, and clearly define its next step policy for implementing the agreement as early as possible. In areas of concern to the public, including comprehensive rural reform, DDR, and special justice, more concrete actions need to be taken to actively mobilize resources and leverage the strengths of existing mechanisms so that more people can benefit from the dividends of peace. Second, security challenges should be effectively addressed. The current security situation in Colombia remains worrying. China supports the Colombian government in curbing conflict-related violence in accordance with the law, while resolving problems through political means to reduce the risks of conflict. Efforts should be made to improve the overall security environment of the society, strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups such as former combatants, farmers, ethnic minorities, women and children, and boost public confidence in the peace process. Third, efforts should center on addressing the root causes of conflict. Peace is not just about silencing the guns. It depends more heavily on resolving deep-seated issues such as underdevelopment and unequal distribution. China supports the Colombian government in combating drug-related crimes, promoting illicit crop substitution, improving the livelihoods of people in remote, underdeveloped regions, and promoting balanced and sustainable socio-economic development. The Colombian government should provide systematic support to former combatants in areas such as land, housing, employment training, and productive operations to help them secure stable livelihoods. Peace-building and economic development are mutually reinforcing. All sectors of the Colombian society should become major forces in driving national development. Fourth, the international community should maintain its impactful support. China commends the active role of UN Verification Mission in supporting the Colombian peace process. China supports further extending its mandate. so that the mission can further strengthen dialogue and communication with all Colombian parties and provide targeted assistance. China also hopes that the Colombian government will continue to give comprehensive support to the mission's work. The international community needs to align its efforts in development assistance, peacebuilding, and other areas with the policies of the Colombian government, channeling more funds and more projects to underdeveloped regions that are severely affected by the conflict. so as to create greater synergy. China highly values the development of China-Colombia relations and the longstanding friendship between our two countries. Immediately after Colombia's major earthquake, China conveyed its condolences and provided earthquake relief assistance and emergency supplies. China will work together with the Colombian government and the international community to promote further progress in the Colombian-led, Colombian-owned peace process. and bring greater benefits to the Colombian people. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Madam President. We'd like to thank Miroslav Ljuntja for his substantive briefing. We welcome the participation in today's meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Mr. Omar Bula. The new government in Bogota began its work under challenging conditions. Just three days after he took up office, President Abelardo de la Espriya saw his country hit by a destructive earthquake. We note the participation of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia its participation in international efforts to overcome the consequences of this natural disaster. What's particularly disquieting is that nature struck regions which have historically been plagued by an internal armed conflict, which compounded the vulnerability of the local people. The change in government in Colombia comes at a time when there is a milestone happening for the final peace agreement of 2016. Next month, we will celebrate its 10th anniversary. third of the time allocated to the implementation of this accord has already elapsed, yet the scale of the challenges facing Colombia remains unprecedented. We'd like to use this meeting, which in a way will help set the tone for the new administration, we'd like to send one clear message. The implementation of the final agreement in full meets the root national interests of Colombia itself. Why do we deem this of critical importance? First, the Colombian people which the government is indeed supposed to represent, has suffered the most due to years of domestic armed conflict. Protecting the victims of violence on both sides, that's what the FPA aims for. The victims and their families have a full right for at least minimal reparations for the years of suffering they've endured. Most material reparations and what's even more important, let me underscore this, moral reparations. A key role in this process is played by the comprehensive system of truth, justice, reparations, and non-repetition. It plays a prominent role, especially the special unit for such persons deemed to be missing. What's important is to endow these bodies with sufficient resources so they can continue their critically important work. Second, the agreement was signed by over 11,000 ex-combatants. who made an informed decision to lay down arms. They continue to link their fate to this agreement. Their successful socio-economic reintegration and reliable guarantees for their physical security is the best way to ensure that they don't return to illicit activities. This should be the absolute priority for any and all governments. For the time being, we are seeing unacceptably high levels of violence against ex-FARC members. In August alone, there were six killings of ex-combatants. The overwhelming majority of the over 500 such crimes committed since the final agreement was signed have been unresolved. This only exacerbates the dire situation facing this group. Third, the final agreement contains a singular system of transitional justice which is fully underpinned by national mechanisms. It's singular because it aims not only to punish, to draw new dividing lines, rather it aims to heal the wounds in Colombian society. via the Search for Truth and Reconciliation. This is evidenced by the nature of the sentences themselves and the mechanisms for these sentences to be served by the guilty parties. We note that the Special Jurisdiction for Peace has handed down final decisions on two macro cases and the start of their long-awaited implementation. We expect this process to garner the requisite support, including from the government, and including in light of the fact that the mandate for monitoring this chapter has not been prolonged. The GEP should continue its independent work and enjoy stable funding. Any request to the GEP, any issues with its work should be settled exclusively by constructive dialogue within existing legal mechanisms. Last but not least, the comprehensive implementation of the FPA is a litmus test a yardstick by which the Colombian authorities' ability to do deals and their willingness to uphold the commitments they took on will be judged. A responsible government position will be of benefit to Bogota itself, against the backdrop of the prospects of ongoing conflicts with other illegal armed groups, for these to be settled. We underscore that Russia has unswervingly expressed its respect to the sovereign decisions and priorities of the current government, including on issues of national security and the rule of law in Colombia. We share the course set by the new president aimed at bolstering state presence in various regions and protecting the local people from crime. Having said that, the authorities should not dismiss the instruments of peaceful dialogue with those groups who are ready to do so. When any military operations are held, it's critically important to ensure that civilians are protected, first and foremost, societal leaders, rural leaders, which could find themselves in the crossfire. We stand convinced that the implementation of the agreement and the related government priorities will help to achieve the Government's objective with the support of the verification mission, which has a broad-based presence on the ground, especially in regions where state authority is not particularly present. We express our support to the verification mission and are in favour of extending the special political mission's mandate in full. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Madam President. I would also like to thank Special Representative Genta for his briefing and welcome His Excellency Minister Bula to the meeting. Let me begin by sending our sympathies to the Colombian people affected by the devastating earthquake in August. We express our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones and solidarity to those still searching for the missing. Madam President, allow me to make three points. First, Next month marks a significant milestone in Colombia's peace process, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the peace agreement. We congratulate the Colombian people for their dedication in the advancement of lasting peace. Looking ahead, implementation in this crucial period will be key to consolidate and build on the progress achieved over the last decade. Continued efforts to ensure the safe reintegration of former combatants will be essential for sustaining confidence in the peace process. Second, the high levels of insecurity in conflict-affected areas in Colombia remain deeply concerning. We are alarmed by the escalating violence against civilians, including social leaders, human rights defenders, Afro-Colombians and indigenous peoples. Women also face threats, restrictions of their movement and gender-based violence. A sharp increase in grave violations against children is also cause for alarm. This reporting period marked 500 verified killings of former combatants since the signing of the agreement. Armed groups continue to exert control in many regions, holding communities hostage to their illicit economies, as also highlighted by the Minister. These groups also deploy new technologies such as drone attacks and use social media for intimidation and recruitment, including of children. Responding effectively to this insecurity requires a holistic and human rights-based approach. This includes coordination between security efforts, development, and the expansion of state presence and services into these regions. The instruments and commitments already established under the peace agreement remain strategically relevant to achieving these aims. Continued implementation of rural reform will also contribute to consolidating peace and security, strengthening economic development, and addressing conditions that sustain illicit economies. Third. Denmark welcomes the landmark restorative sentences that began last month and laid down by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. It is a pivotal moment for Colombia's transitional justice process as former FARC-EP commanders and army officers who acknowledged responsibility for crimes during the conflict begin serving their restorative sentences. Ensuring the delivery of these sentences will advance the rights of victims and pave the way for truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition. We encourage continued investment in these critical transitional justice mechanisms to bring about sustainable peace and security. Madam President, in closing, as this is Denmark's final quarterly session on Colombia, I want to express our unwavering support and solidarity to the Colombian people. The path to peace will not be without obstacles. But we are confident that with the determination and resilience of the Colombian people, the sustained commitment of the government, and the support of international partners, Colombia can build the lasting peace and prosperity its people deserve. Let me also express our full support for the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, which remains a crucial tool to advance the peace process. We look forward to working with Council members on the renewal of its important mandate this month. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Special Representative Jentzsch for your briefing. We warmly welcome Foreign Minister Bula and congratulate President de la Sproega and his administration on their election. I have to say, across every level of this new government, we see exceptional leadership, renewed determination, and a commitment to putting the Colombian people first. They are only in the early innings of their serious work, but it is clear that the Colombian people are remembering what their great nation is capable of after four dark years under Gustavo Petro. But I want to recognize something else President de la Sereia did, or rather, something he didn't do. He didn't come to New York for UNGA. He promised the Colombian people that he would remain in his country rather than spend his presidency traveling the international diplomatic circuit. And so far, he's kept that promise. While his capable vice president represented Colombia here, President de la Sereia stayed home, attending to the needs of his people. Colleagues, there is no shortage of speeches about leadership in this building. Colombia's new president demonstrated leadership without ever setting foot here. He understands something we should all remember. Our first responsibility is not to the diplomatic circuit. It is to the people we serve. I wish more leaders had that kind of resolve, the same resolve that propelled President Trump to the White House and the same resolve that has kept him and us delivering for the American people. Now, Colombia's new administration has already been tested. Just three days after their president took office, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, claiming more than 330 lives and affecting nearly half a million people. The UN itself estimates more than $13 billion in physical destruction. In response to the earthquake, the United States has provided over $26.5 million in disaster assistance, and we urge our partners to provide support as well. As Colombia focuses on recovery efforts, we stand ready to continue investment in Colombia's infrastructure to help rebuild. Colleagues, Colombia's full implementation of its commitments under the 2016 peace accord remains essential to the country's future. But lasting peace requires something even more fundamental. The Colombian government, not the cartels, not the narco traffickers, not the terrorists, must control Colombian territory. The previous administration promised total peace. Instead, armed groups expanded their territory, grew their ranks, and diversified their criminal enterprises. Instead of total peace, total impunity reigned in much of Colombia. Some ambiguous peace cannot be an excuse to give terrorists room to recruit, rearm, and terrorize innocent families. President de la Sirena understands that. We welcome his decision to end the failed negotiations inherited from the Petro administration and confront the criminal organizations that have preyed on Colombians and Americans alike. The United States looks forward to deepening our security partnership with his government. Criminals have no safe harbor in the United States, and they should have no safe harbor in Colombia. Finally, as the Council approaches the October 31 expiration of the UN Verification Mission's mandate, we welcome Colombia's determination to take ownership of rural reform while preserving the mission's essential verification responsibilities and field presence. This should always be our goal here on the Council. We should support national leadership, focus on core mandates, and deliver results rather than perpetuate missions indefinitely. Colleagues, a stronger Colombia means a safer hemisphere. Under President de la Espriella, Colombia is once again showing the world what determined, patriotic leadership looks like. The United States is proud to stand with the Colombian people and their new government. We look forward to what we can accomplish together. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Greece.

Excellencies, I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Miroslav Ljecnja, for his briefing. And I welcome here the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia. His Excellency Mr. Omar Bola Escobar. I'd like to begin by congratulating the new Colombian government on the beginning of its administration. Greece remains committed to the continuity, to continue our close cooperation with the new government in the Security Council and at the bilateral level. The arrival in office of the new administration was marked by the devastating earthquake that shook Colombia in August, which claimed hundreds of lives and did serious damage to infrastructure. We convey our condolences to the relatives of the victims and we express our solidarity to all of those affected. In light of all of this, I would like to highlight the following three points today.

First, we reiterate our full support for the peace process in Colombia and the final peace agreement, which has contributed significantly to the country's stability and development. We acknowledge the Colombian government's prioritization of security and stress the vital role of the peace agreement in enhancing security conditions in conflict-affected regions. We welcome the government's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the peace agreement while recognizing Colombia's sovereign right to determine its implementation policies. Close cooperation with the UN verification mission remains particularly valuable in this regard. We welcome the government's continued openness to engaging with the mission, especially given the latter's valuable contribution during the earthquake response, and stress that continued engagement can further enhance complementarity between the respective efforts. Second, On the security front, we take note of the government's firm stance against armed groups and its efforts to combat drug trafficking and illicit economies. We condemn the violence perpetrated by armed groups, including the use of new technologies such as drone attacks and exploitation of social media for the recruitment of children. We remain concerned about continuing insecurity in conflict-affected regions and violence against social leaders, ethnic communities, and former combatants. At the same time, we underscore the paramount importance of protecting affected communities during security operations. Third, we stress the importance of rural reform and the reintegration of ex-combatants while ensuring security in areas still impacted by the presence of armed groups. The holistic approach to security, in fact, serves to strengthen state presence in conflict-affected regions. It also contributes to rural development and helps prevent armed groups from recruiting new members, particularly children. We also welcome the issuance of the first restorative sentences by the special jurisdictions for peace in Colombia, which provide meaningful redress to victims of the conflict. Excellencies.

Excellencies. To conclude, I wish to reiterate Greece's steadfast support to Colombia in its quest for a peaceful and sustainable future. In addition, we reaffirm our support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and to the UN's verification mission in Colombia. We remain committed to working in close cooperation with the other members of the Security Council to renew the mission's mandate, always prioritizing the interests of the Colombian people. Thank you very much.

I shall now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.